davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1887-03-08

frequently wears a trained gown, SO anxious
is she to'avoid revealing the outlines of her
figure"
The bell hoop which reigned France from
1868 to 1867 and pervaded in this and other
countries was an atrocity in dress which for
downright indecency could not be improved
upon. 1t operated on the wearer like an open
umbrella set on a floor to dry out. If any
thing touched it on one side it reared extrav-
agantly on the other. When it came to ex-
posing the leg the graceful costume of Mime.
Beauharnais was modesty itself beside it. Yet
SO powerful was the hideous fashion that no
woman, rich or poor. dared keep out of hoops.
If one here or there refused to don them she
was the object of ridicule everywhere, and
was even looked upon with suspicion where
she was unknown.
Finally the hoops died the death of all evil
things, The pullback came in, and once
more women were permitted to admit that
they, too, had been formed in the image of
their Maker. endowed with leos-not b1ilt IN
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-07-07

other side caught hold of the child, and
giving it a gentle somersault, handed it
back to the other woman over the ass the
child's head being turned toward the sky.
The process having been repeated three
times, the child was taken away to the
house, and the second child was similarly
treated, While this was going on two
other children were quickly brought to
undergo the magical cure. In order that
the operation may have its due effect the
ass must not be forgotten, and at the
close of the ceremony each mother must
carry her child to the head of the animal
and allow it to eat something, such as
bread or biscuits, out Of the child's lap.
This proceeding having been performed
in turn by the four mothers, the precrib-
ed course was concluded. When it began
there were not many people present, but
before it was finished quite a crowd of
spectators, had gathered. From inquiries
made afterwards, it seems the mothers
are thoroughly satisfied that their child
ern are the better of the enchantment.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-07-07
Two Items for Women.

There have been several innovations,
many Of them startling enough, made re-
Gently in the matter of feminine gear
We have grown accustomed to towering
hats covered with the most ridiculous or
lamentations in the sha pc of flowers and
feathers; we have watched calmly, if not
approvipgly, the evolution of the hustle
and the gradual appearance of the leg
of mutton sleeve; but [ confess to having
experienced something very like start
the other day on visiting the establish
ment of q fashionable French corset
maker to see the latest importation of
Partisan stays manufactured of no Ordi-
nary material, such as coutil, sateen. silk
Or sateen, but of common bIue-stri ped
d-tickine! These stays were of the
most perfect cut and workmanship, elab-
orately trimmed with lace and ribbons.
and cost no less than SIC pair. Consid-
cradle ingenuity and taste were displayed
in the cutting of the stuff, so that the
stripes should follow the curves and out.
lines of the figure. They were rather
chic, and fail to see why In the future
bed ticking should hot be used for var1-
Gus purposes besides coverings for mat
treeses and pillows.
Every woman of fashion nowadays has
on her toilet-table pretty little feather
buster, set in beautifully embossed sill
yer handle. These busters are really use
full as we'll as ornamental and it is no
uncommon sight to see lady occupy a
spare hour in brushing off the DUST that
we all know will collect with lightning
rapidity on bureau, desk and table. Most
of these busters are so mad that the
feather portion can be put securely away
inside the silver haDdle, thus forming a
convenient article for the pocket or trav-
cling bag. They can be purchased from
leading house in this city for the trifiing
sum OF $50 apiece.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-07-07
The Territorial Loan Agent.
Dakota Bell.

''You are accused of holding up man
at the depot, showing a six-shooter under
his nose and making him give you S25,
said justice OF the peace to a Dakota
loan agent who had been brought before
him.
"Those are about the facts in the case,'
replied the loan agent.
''Then I shall be obliged to hold you for
robbery"
''Just let me explain how it was. You
see he was leaving the Countrywide train
was already In sight. / knew ne had the
S25 and there wasn't time to get it any
other way. This business method may be
just slightly irregular, but the time was SO
short that was the best I could 60 and
that's all there is about it. If I had
known he was going sooner I should
have got him to sign chattel mortgage
and then everything would have been
regular"
''Well," replied the Judge, 'if that's the
case 1 suppose it's all right. Try an &
get the mortgage though. wnen you can
its more blsiness-like."
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-07-07
TEN THINGS A BABY CAN Do.

1t can beat any alarm-clock ever invent
ed waking family up in the morning.
Give it fair show and it can smash
more dishes than the most Industrious ser
vant-girl in the country.
It can fall down oftener and with less
provocation than the most expert tumbler
in the circus ring.
It can make more genuine fuss over a
simple brass ring than its mother would
over broken back.
It can choke itself black in the face
with greater ease than the most accom-
plished wretch that was ever executed.
It can keep family in constant tur-
MOL from morning till night and night
till morning without once varying its tune
It can be relied upon to sleep peace
fully all day when its father is down town
and cry persistently all night when he is
particularly sleepy.
1t can brighten up house better than
all the furniture ever made; make sWeeter
music than the finest orchestra organized;
fill larger place in its parents breasts
than they knew they had, and when 1t goes
away it can leave greater blank than all
the rest of the world put together.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-07-07
LIGHTNING FREAKS.

Cornelious Conner, aged 10, of Liberty,
Ind, was killed by lightning while watch
ing an approaching storm from The stable
door.
A flock of geese was passing over Rock
Greek, Cal, during a recent storm, when
a thunderbolt sent of them to the earth
dead.
large tree that stood on the edge of a
pond near Nevin, Ind, was struck by
lightning, when the water began sinking
and the pond was perfectly dry.
Clark Newman, of Ocean Grove, was
standing under a tree when lightning
struck and split ii into bale sticks but he
escaped with nothing but lame shout
der.
Lightning struck the home OF Taylor
Eastman, of Hil1eville, N c., and killed
Eastman and his son, while his wife and
daughter, who were in the same room,
were not injured.
When lightning struck the chimney of
the residence of George II. Anderson of
Ocean Grove, it divided into three parts,
one of which struck the piano and drew
every wire out of it, while another
knocked the family about the dining
room and the third passed out of win
dow, shivering the frame and sash into
pieces.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-07-07
BIGGEST SPONGE IN THE WORLD.
1t Has Taken First Prizes All Over the.World
and is Worth Small Lot of Money.
New York Mail sud Express.

New York Mail sud Express.
''That is the largest Florida sponge in
the world" said William-street dealer
to Mail and Express reporter.
The sponge looked like the matched
roof of small cabin, and measures eight
feet il circumference when wet.
''We have one in Philadelphia on tenn
porary exhibition there that is ten feet in
circumference. It is from the Mediter-
ranean. This sponge has taken medals
in France, Amsterdam, New Orleans and
other places. We would not take $500
for it. 1t holds fifteen gallons of water"
The reporter was then shown the
smallest, which is as big as a chestnut,
and never grows any larger. It is taken
on the reefs and IS sold for slate sponge.
"The Mediterranean sponges," contin-
ued the informant, ''are taken in the
Grecian Archipelago by men in diving
suits, who GO into much deeper water
than they do in Florida. There most of
them are taken with graphing irons, in
the same way as the oysters. They can
be seen with the eye on the 5ottom cling
ing to the rocks. When one is dislodged
another grows in its place, taking from
six months to year. A great many are
also taken in the Bahamas. The market
for that crop is Nassau, New Providence.
Key West is the market for the Florida
sponges, which are taken all along the
coast. Trieste and London are the mar
kets for the Mediterranean sponges
Some are taken off the coast of China"
care any curiosities ever found in
them?"
1--WE had one once that inclesed green
jug. It was a fine sponge and had grown
completely around it. They are frequent
ly full of shells. When a sponge is first
taken out of the water it is as black as
ink, and it has to be treated by various
processes until it becomes the color com
monty seen. A sponge is the lowest
order of animal life, being considered
partly animal and partly vegetable. A
number of minute animals live in it. The
business is about half century old in this
country. Sponges are sold by the bale
in this country and by the case in Europe.
They weigh from twenty-five to one
hundred pounds. When sold by weight
the dealers are allowed to sand them about
% per cent. Prices range from $40 to
$3.50, the latter for very fine sponges.
There are many grades, such as silk,
velvet, cup, glass, bath, surgeon, slate,
c+ },
"When is the active season!''
"Spring and fall are the active seasons
for selling. For gathering the latter
part of the year is the most active,
although some fishing is carried on all
the year.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-07-07
has got right with her that which ma
has TO go out for.
Lost the Heart ola Rothsehild.
London Truth.

The plunge of the heiress is the town
talk of the hour. All her family are
against her. 'She is taking about H.
OUo,O0O sterling out of the family" they
say, land throwing herself away on a
man who has nothing but fine person
and genteel genealogy." ''Of course"
they also say, ''he only marries her for
her monsy." What if he does?" she
replies; Its better to be married for
that yourg than old. L know I'm plain;
! know I'm vulgar looking, but may
nave something in me that pleases.
olnce have moro money than l can
ever spend why marry for riches? III
am not beauty the cause is series of
matches made for M ney. For my part
should be more obliged TO my ances-
tors II L had Inherited good looks and
FEWER millions. As to old blazons, / hold
them IN contempt when they 90 with
wornout blood" The heiresss was in
dulged from her infancy by tender,
we'll meaning and in all respects good
mother, but it is a mistake to saw that
she was spoiled. She has a bounteous
disposition and clear and strong head.
Her millions have been at nurse almost
since she was baby. When miss in
her teens she assumed the direction of
her stables and drove four ponies in
hand. If judged by a high aesthetic
standard, she certainly is plain, being
like the ancestral million satherer whom
Balzac held up as the strongest type he
had ever seen of what unaristocratic
Judaism produces. The resemblance,
however, is Only physical, and it is a
wonde- that it is not stronger, in-and-in
marriages having, until recently been
the rule of the clan.
1t is to the honor of this great heiress
that she wants to take quite new de-
parture. The winner of her hand is a
Belgian cavalry officer, and Catholic.
He danced at cotillons at her mothers
balls, and cantered in the Bots into the
young lady's affections. Fair cousins of
hers have married Catholic noblemen,
but the blazons in both cases were highly
aristocratic, and royal arms of a German
house are quartered on one of them.
The self-willed heiress is the best whip"
and equestrian in Paris. The Due de
Morny once futtered around her, but
after the Feyghine tragedy she turned
her back on him. Being now of age she
can marry whom she pleases.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-07-07
Hanlan- Gaudaur i.

There has been so much would-be wise
talk from the lips of self asserted author-
tiles that Hanlan was not properly train
ed for his last race with Gaudaur, that he
had good boat, and that the time was
wrong, that Mr.. Hamilton Busby, of The
Turf, Field, and Farm, who was referee
IN the race and an undoubted authority
on such matters, has felt compelled to
write the following, which should forever
set at rest the foolish gossip in the
matter:
The talk about Hanlan not being train /
ed fine enough showed lack of knowledge.
He is older than he was and can not safe
ly reduce himself as in earlier years. The
talk about HIM being worn out is also
nonsense. O'Connor, who had been con
stantly with him until he went to Pull
man, says he was rowing faster and better
at Worcester than he ever rowed in his
life, and on the day after the race Mr.
Samuel Coulson wrote to us from Mon
treal: Nineteen minutes and thirty
four seconds for the beaten man, time
and distance correct, is great perform
ance, and l am satisfied it is the best
Hanlan ever made in race. The winner
is a wonder. The only consolation l have
is that he is Canuck and pupil of
Hanlan. The latter, although beaten
should be able, fit and well, to down
Beach," The time is correct. 1t was
taken by men of experience, who had
good watches and WHO were where it was
not easy to make mistake. The course,
we were assured by those in authority at
Pullman, was full three miles. The ex-
champion had been unfortunate in his
boats Tho Davis N which ha cd
to row the race was twisted out of shape
in shipment to Pullman, and he had to
depend upon a light Blake, ordered ex-
pressly for smooth water. Ruddock prob
ably spends more time over the lines of
a shell then any other builder. A boat
adapted to Teemer will not suit Hanlan.
Their styles of sculling is different, and
they require shells of slightly different
construction. When two oarsmen are
evenly matched the scale is turned by the
boat. One jockey will get more speed
out of horse than another jockey, and
so one boat will contribute more to the
speed of a sculler than another boat. AT
Pullman Gaudaur had Enthusiastically the
best shell, and it was from the shop of
Ruddock. Had the now champion been
as badly boated as the ex-champ ion was
the result might have been different.
Ruddock on account of disagreement
with Hanlan, declined to build shell for
the ex-champion, and Corbett, of the
Farragut club, refused to loan Hanlan a
Ruddock boat for the great race on
Decoration day. For the second race at
Pullman, fixed for July %, Hanlan will
probably use Warren shell. Toronto
people think Warren can build as good
boat as Ruddock.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-07-07
Barrett On Irving's Romeo.
Chicago N+ws.

Shortly after the ludicrous production
of Romeo and Juliet at the Lyceum,'
says Vandenhoff, s'l WAS crossing the
ocean for America, and caught sight of g
man sitting cons icuously upon the deck
of the steamer. He held open in his
hand, evidently for the benefit of the
passengers-for he was not Teadipg-an
enormous quarto edition of Canon Far
rar's Life of Christ The little on the
side was so large that you could read il
half way cross the boat. l walked up and
peered around the book and discovered
that it was Lawrence Barrett.
"'Wen, young man he said, in his
severest and most pedantic tones, as he
recognized me, what did you think OF
the magnificent production of "Romee
and Juliet?"'
"'One of the worst I ever saw" L re-
piled.
"'Whatr exclaimed the tr-r-ragedian
Where could you find another man to
play Romeo as Irving did?"
"'Nowhere, hope said fervently.
"'He is great artist, sir-r-r! A great
artist. He saw fit on the first night to
call Alma Tadema and myself down into
his dressing room, and stripped naked
sir-r-r, to ask US if he should pad fOr
Romeo And with whitening look of
contempt he turned again to his book"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-07-07
Scotch Cure for WhOoping Cough
Greenock Telegraph.

Old Scottish people, or those convers-
ant with the superstitions and customs of
the country, are well aware of the efficacy
of the cure which the ass was supposed to
have wrought in the case of whooping-
cough, and the following incidents will
be read with interest: One afternoon
recently curious display of superstition
occurred at MaryhilI, within view of the
police Office. Measles and whooping-
cough are prevalent among children in
the burg at present, and a travelling can
dyman and rag gatherer, with cart
drawn by an ass drew up in front of a
rev of houses known as ''Pirrat's row." a
little off the highway. Two children liv-
ing in the quarter are afflicted with
whooping- cough. 1t has not transpired
what com pensation the proprietor of the
ass received for tie superstitious use of
it, in the belief that it would cure the
children of the cough, but after a short
conversation the mothers of the children
took up a position on each side OF the ass.
Cne woman then took one of the children
and passed it through below the ass's belly
to the other woman, the child's face being
toward the ground. The woman On the
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-07-07
Mr. Middleworth asked with some inter

Mr.. Middleworth asked with some inter
est:
'Who is that old gentleman? He has
very fine face. OF course / know that
he Is your uncle, bat Who
"No," said Mark Plinlimmon, smiling /;
che is not my uncle at all. He is no re-
lation in the world to me-
sThen who does he belong tor"
''He belongs to nobody, He is sort
of cousin to Mr.. Hendexter, the English
man who built the house. He went with
the young women to Lincolnshire, but he
was not welcome there. He was old you
see and penniless, aud past work. So he
same back here, and they put him in the
work. house. But think the shock and all
touched his mind, and one day we found
him on the steps. Il have come home,
he said. The work-house authorities sent
for him but I wouldn't let him go back.
He Is very old, you see, and very feeble,
and perhaps they wouldn't be quite SO
considerable of him as they ought. So
here he remains, fancying that he is mas
ter of Purple Peak farm, and that we are
his friends and visitors. He isn't the
least bit of trouble, bless his kind old
SOUL" Mark added, apologetically, land
| if it was my father or yours, alone in the
world, don't you see"
"Mr. Plinlimmon, you are right,
| shouted Mr.. Middleworth, astonishing the
young man jumping mp aud ringing his
| hand vehemently. 'I'm quite satisfied
now"
II beg your pardon" said Mark, in sur
prise.
about the relationship" said Mr.
! M1ddleworth. 81 confess it puzzled me &
little at first
| He started to return TO New York the
next day; still he did not divulge his
personality.
A month subsequently, when Mark
came to the city in response to joyful
letter from Madeline, he was conducted
into the library, where an elderly gentle
man sat.
"Here is papa, Mark" said Madeline.
"How do you do, Mr.. Middleworth? p
said the amazed son-in-law elect.
"Middleworth Vassar, if you please
said the old gentleman, with chuckle.
"Aha! My little girl here, whe thinks
she knows everything, doesn't know that
went to Purple Peak farm to satisfy my
self that she had fallen in love with q
good and true man. And [ did satisfy
myself"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-07-07
THE WIND AND THE sT..Rs AND THE SEA
wind and the stars and the sea.

The wind and the stars and the sea,
What song can be sung of these three,
With words that are written in lines?
Ah God of the stars and the sea,
The voice of the song. it should be
The voice OF the wind in the pines
The voice of the song, it should be
The voice OF the coast OF the sea,
Siepmother and wrecEer of ships;
AS deep and as hoarse as the tune
Bleak Labrador sings to the moon,
With rocky and cavernous lips.
The wind and the stars and the sea,
The Arctic night knoweth the three;
No other sojourner it hath,
Save death and these three from OF old
To whose abode throned in the cold,
No living thing knoweth the path.
There nothing to grieve or rejoice,
Fer lifts up the sound of its voice
A world ere the birth Of soul;
A thousand long ages speed by,
Still gIimIuer the stars in the sky,
Still whistles the gale from the pole.
Amid the unharvested plains,
The blossomless land where death reigns,
The wind sings of doom and of graves:
It sings of the day when the worla
Shall crumble to sand, and be whirled
Like the dust in the teeth of the waves,
Where ice mountains thunder and crash
Where frozen waves gurgle and dash,
Where love never came with it's tears
Ikea lost worlds desolate cry,
Shrills sea-wind to sea and to sky,
And only the ear of God hears,
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-07-07
another "blokey."
Chat With the Children.

II had ompliment from the teacher
to-day" said seven year older III Newark
last week.
II am glad to hear it," said the fond
mother beamingly. ''What was it my
darling?"
"She said was the oldest scholar in
school,"
This conversation between Charley, a
Southside boy, and his bachelor uncle oc-
CURED as they walked along the street in
Chicago.
Charlie = Do you know what Tom
my Mason says that the best place to go
to is?''
Uncle-No."
"He says the best place to GO to is the
Bad Mans place. That isn't the best
place to go to is it? Heavens the best
place isn't it,"
eyes"
"Tommie Mason says you get more to
eat at the Bad Mans place and that's
why it's best. Look out don't step on
the cracks cause if you do you'll marry a
niger"
"Polly, you're sitting on the grass
again, come right mp said a careful
CamQen mOGn6r III q uOnS 10
2-year- fodder.
''Ain't sittin' on 70 grass; I'm sittin'
on nice-round-w arm-soft-stone
A small self-cocking revolver was care
lessly Left loaded in Chicago dressing
case. A little one, about 2 years old,
discovered it and shortly after Mortified
his mother by appearing in the parlor,
where she was entertaining caller with
the muzzle of the revolver between his
lips for a pipe. The terrified mother
sprang forward and tore the dangerous
playing from the child's grasp, and threw
il across the room where it exploded with
crash. Fortunately, no one was injur-
ed. And the youngster set up an angry
cry for his pipe, as he called it. 1t was
afterward discovered that he had been en-
joying his smoke all the way down from
the third floor, having come down two
flights of stairs with the pistol in his
possession.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-07-07
A Catfish Dimes on Snakes.
Carlysle Qll.) Cor. Globe. Democrat.

While fishing in Abbott's Lake, ten
mllvs north of Carlysle, few days since,
Mr.. George II. Berger, of this city, cap
tured catfish which had the appearance
of being quite gormandizer. It was of
the species called channel cat, aad was
about eighteen inches in length and
weighed about eight pounds. After land
ing the fish Mr.. Berger observed some
thing protruding from the fish's mouth,
and, upon closer examination, found it
to be the head of snake. The fish was
cut open, and q snake over four feet in
leRgth was taken from its stomach. The
alive